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HOLYOKE – An auction of properties the city seized for nonpayment of taxes will be held late next month, City Treasurer Jon D. Lumbra said.

At least 11 properties and possibly more will be auctioned to the highest bidders as the city tries to recoup at least some revenue from land and buildings that have languished for years off the tax rolls.

On the 11 properties known to be included in the auction, more than $1.2 million is owed to the city in taxes and interest, Lumbra said.

Officials head into such auctions with a “something is better than nothing” attitude, knowing the municipality is unlikely to get a property’s assessed value or the taxes owed from the winning bid.

“I’m just looking to collect the taxes going forward. If we can get these in the hands of a responsible property owner, then let’s do that,” Lumbra said.

Twenty to 40 other properties the city now owns because owners failed to pay taxes could be added to the auction list or a future auction if the City Council approves, he said.

The plan was to hold the auction May 30 with Flynn Auctions, of Quincy. But after speaking with officials from the Office of the State Inspector General, it was decided to seek bids from auctioneers. A request for such proposals is set to be issued Monday or Tuesday, a decision will be made two to three weeks later and the auction will be held probably the last week of June, Lumbra said.

Seeking bids from vendors is unnecessary if less than $5,000 in taxpayer money is being spent. The concern was if for some reason the 11 properties to be auctioned drew zero bids, the city would have drawn no revenue but would still owe the auctioneer at least $500 per property, or $5,500, which would have triggered the requirement to seek bids, he said.

The initial 11 properties set for auction, assessed values and amount owed on taxes are are as follows, Lumbra said: